CCG Updates and Insights

Low-coverage whole-genome sequencing is a recent trend to sequence samples to a very low depth of coverage, often less than 1X. Researchers from very different fields (genetics and cancer diagnostics) are developing computational methods to learn useful information from the limited amount of data.

Brain cancers are notoriously hard to study, model, and treat. Dr. Mario Suvà speaks about how single-cell RNA sequencing is helping researchers gain clarity on the origins, development, and response to treatment for these cancers.

Researchers used ATAC-seq to profile the chromatin accessibility of 410 TCGA samples representing 23 primary cancers. The study uncovered a vast number of novel DNA regulatory elements and their potential roles in cancer development, prognosis, and response to therapy.

At the 2018 Cell Symposium, TCGA Legacy: Multi-Omic Studies in Cancer, cancer genomics experts will discuss the latest research in molecularly characterizing cancer, classifying the disease, and the development of targeted therapy. A preview of how some researchers are starting to understand the complex and dynamic aspects of cancer.

The Pediatric Genomic Data Inventory (PGDI), developed by the Office of Cancer Genomics (OCG), is a new public resource informing researchers how and where to access globally generated pediatric cancer genomic datasets. Connecting researchers with data and fostering collaborations is key to furthering our understanding of childhood cancers.

Dr. John Weinstein discusses progress in computational biology over the 12-year span of TCGA. The field has expanded greatly, with researchers taking on more complex problems and trying different approaches.

The Genomic Data Commons (GDC) launched two years ago with the goal to build a collaborative, interactive knowledge system that anyone can use. Dr. Lou Staudt reflects on milestones reached at the GDC’s two year anniversary and challenges ahead in building clinically relevant tools and advancing precision medicine.